 A 26-game programme (with every team playing each other home and away) was considered too short, a 52-game programme (with each team playing each other home and away twice) too congested.A 39-game schedule would leave an imbalance with sides having two fixtures at home against some teams, and one against others.The solution the Scottish Football League opted for was a 26-game calendar augmented by a supplementary cup competition, the "Spring Cup".